Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for preventing health care workers from being exposed to ionizing radiation when delivering a radioisotope stent into a vessel of a human body, the system comprising: an axially extending stent delivery catheter assembly having a distal portion; a radioisotope stent that is placed at the distal portion of the stent delivery catheter assembly; and, a radiation shield coaxially disposed externally about the distal portion of the stent delivery catheter assembly to shield health care workers using the system from exposure to ionizing radiation during insertion of the radioisotope stent into a vessel of the human body, the stent delivery catheter assembly being axially displaceable relative to the radiation shield, the radiation shield being maintained external to the vessel of the human body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for preventing health care workers from being exposed to ionizing radiation when delivering a radioisotope stent into a vessel of a human body, the system comprising: an axially extending stent delivery catheter assembly having a distal portion; a radioisotope stent that is placed at the distal portion of the stent delivery catheter assembly; and, a radiation shield coaxially disposed externally about the distal portion of the stent delivery catheter assembly to shield health care workers using the system from exposure to ionizing radiation during insertion of the radioisotope stent into a vessel of the human body, the stent delivery catheter assembly being axially displaceable relative to the radiation shield, the radiation shield being maintained external to the vessel of the human body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation shield includes a distal section which is smaller in diameter as compared to most of the length of the radiation shield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising a "Y" adaptor having a proximal end for receiving the distal section of the radiation shield, the proximal end having formed thereon threadedly adjusted securing means for releasably securing therein the distal section of the radiation shield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a releasable attachment means located on the radiation shield for releasably attaching the radiation shield to the stent delivery catheter assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the releasable attachment means includes adjustment means threadedly coupled thereto for adjusting the attachment of the radiation shield to the stent delivery catheter assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the releasable attachment is in the general form of a pressure sensitive adhesive tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation shield is formed from a plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the radiation shield is formed from a transparent plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the plastic material is an acrylic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the plastic material is a polycarbonate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least a first portion of the radiation shield is formed from a plastic material and at least a second portion of the radiation shield is formed from a metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation shield is formed entirely from a metal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
119 words
A system for preventing health care workers from being exposed to ionizing radiation when delivering a temporary radioisotope stent into a vessel of a human body, the system comprising: an axially extending catheter assembly having a distal portion forming the temporary radioisotope stent adapted to be placed into a vessel of a human body; and a radiation shield coaxially disposed externally about the temporary radioisotope stent for shielding health care workers using the system from exposure to ionizing radiation during insertion of the temporary radioisotope stent catheter assembly into a vessel of a human body, the catheter assembly being axially displaceable relative to the radiation shield, the radiation shield being maintained external to the vessel of the human body.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
119 words
A system for preventing health care workers from being exposed to ionizing radiation when delivering a temporary radioisotope stent into a vessel of a human body, the system comprising: an axially extending catheter assembly having a distal portion forming the temporary radioisotope stent adapted to be placed into a vessel of a human body; and a radiation shield coaxially disposed externally about the temporary radioisotope stent for shielding health care workers using the system from exposure to ionizing radiation during insertion of the temporary radioisotope stent catheter assembly into a vessel of a human body, the catheter assembly being axially displaceable relative to the radiation shield, the radiation shield being maintained external to the vessel of the human body.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for preventing health care workers from being exposed to ionizing radiation when delivering a high intensity radioisotope source into a vessel of a human body, the system comprising: an axially extending catheter assembly having a distal portion forming the high intensity radioisotope source having an approximate intensity of at least one milliCurie; and a radiation shield coaxially disposed externally about the high intensity radioisotope source for shielding health care workers using the system from exposure to ionizing radiation during insertion of the high intensity radioisotope source catheter assembly into a vessel of a human body, the catheter assembly being axially displaceable relative to the radiation shield, the radiation shield being maintained external to the vessel of the human body.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for preventing health care workers from being exposed to ionizing radiation when delivering a high intensity radioisotope source into a vessel of a human body, the system comprising: an axially extending catheter assembly having a distal portion forming the high intensity radioisotope source having an approximate intensity of at least one milliCurie; and a radiation shield coaxially disposed externally about the high intensity radioisotope source for shielding health care workers using the system from exposure to ionizing radiation during insertion of the high intensity radioisotope source catheter assembly into a vessel of a human body, the catheter assembly being axially displaceable relative to the radiation shield, the radiation shield being maintained external to the vessel of the human body.